I hope I’m not boring my reader’s with the ‘I and my’
attitude, but it’s me trying to relate my thoughts as disablement trundles
on. To set my feelings down in print acts
as a substitute for the lack of speech, so from now on readers can expect more
of my musings.
Keen
interest in others
Visitors may well think I’m uninterested when I doze, but
nothing is further from the truth – lots of close family always say ‘Gordon
will know’ it’s often true, because I’ve no option, but to be a very good
listener - my brother Allan is one of the best for delving into what his past
week involved and telling me. I’m sure
at times he thinks it’s a bit futile with very little reaction from me — no way
Allan I have appreciated knowing what you’re week involved!
Community
alarm
I’d a brief discussion with Jean and we decided to
surrender our alarm as the finer motor skills of my hands can’t operate the
fob-- I’m now thinking of getting a key
safe installed by the Council -- where if anything was going to happen to Jean
then the carers that come in at 0700hrs could let themselves in.
Mum/Dad
and brothers
Mum and Dad had three sons Ian, Willie, and Bob, then there
was a ten year gap before Allan was born and me two years later in 1937. Mum would
have been 37 when she had me — for a home birth at her age that must have been very risky,
but I suppose in that era unless severe complications then hospital wasn’t a
option. I remember Dad saying they lived in a house with a compacted earth
floor and when they played marbles they used the heel of their boot to make the
hole for the game (for locals familiar with the Doric it would be doolies and
kyppy for the hole)
The five brothers, in spite of the ten year gap and
Ian spending all his married life in Newcastle
we were all very close. The four remaining brothers lived in or around Elgin,
but when we all got together including the families it always turned into a night of hilarity and camaraderie – laced
with frequent ‘drams’ of whisky for the brothers! –And always ending up with a rollicking musical
evening involving all the families – we all were ‘likable drunks’ and
non-aggressive! Ian and Willie died in their late eighties and Bob in his early eighties, so they had a good life.
Aye, the past memories may well be the basis, when I recall the
happy times, for my acceptance of ‘this hellish disease’ bestowed on me. Yes
we’ve all to go our different ways, but it can be hard sometimes!!
Wheelchair
scuffs
In June we had our first really serious attempt at painting over wall scuffs
and disguising hardwood doors and surrounds since 2006. Overall I’ve been pleasantly
surprised with the outcome. Carers are
now heavily involved in transferring me from bedroom to bathroom etc. It shows they have a healthy respect for our
home as well as my dignity and overall welfare.
